Ask The Brewmasters

Hoping to get some suggestions on how to improve TPO levels that we're getting in can from an Angelus CB100 12 head filler. 

We're regularly recording DO levels of approximately 2pbb in bright tank, then about 6ppb at the manifold just before beer flows into the individual fill heads. The fills are the correct volume plus a little extra and the foam/fobbing looks really nice with a nice convex, tightly-packed head (see attached photo and video of filling). If we gently remove a can post the seamer and gently invert it in an attempt to test the DO of the liquid (not TPO so no shaking) we get approximately 25ppb. However, if we vigorously shake the cans for a couple of minutes (normal testing process) we consistently get readings of 150ppb to 300ppb. This is clearly not acceptable and we've been working extensively on-site with technicians trying to troubleshoot this without resolution. Every now and again we'll get a good reading of below 50ppb but it doesn't seem consistent or isolated to a problematic fill head.

The CO2 purging is working and we've attached our CBox to the supply to confirm that the supply is pure CO2 (as expected).

Hopefully someone with experience using this specific filler can provide some advice because we're out of ideas and really struggling.

We were previously using a CODI 6 head counter pressure filler that always produced excellent TPO readings so we're a bit confused why a more expensive and supposedly better piece of equipment is producing worse results.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Adrian Graeber
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Hi Adrian

Great troubleshooting.  Because you identified the HSO is high, I can then assume the problem comes after the filler and before the seamer.  Curious if you have an undercover gasser before the lid gets added.  Can you try turning this off and see if TPO improves?
My hypothesis is the angle at which the gas is blowing onto the foam is creating a venturi effect that draws oxygen from the air into the lower pressure created by the moving gas.  Turning off the undercover gas should improve the HSO results, not to target levels but better than what you are seeing.  If this simple test works, then adjust the angle of your undercover gas stream.


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Matt Garcia
Anton Paar USA
Maryville IL
(618) 407-9382
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Can you share a video of the seaming process? 

Is there a lid tamp function prior to seaming? I experienced an increase in DO on similar line due to the pneumatic lid tamper malfunctioning and hammering the lid so hard it would cause it to bend slightly and pull in oxygen before seaming. Imagine the top side of a frisbee going concave for a moment before resuming its shape. Just one example, but the can handling from the filler to closing can impact oxygen ingress in a filled can prior to seaming.

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Philip Kochanke
Kichesippi Beer Co
Ottawa ON
(613) 600-2968
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Hi Adrian, 

We run the PSA CB50 gravity filler that looks basically the same as your line just minus 6 fill heads. We have our line pretty dialed in at ~20-30 ppb pickup, so some of the things I would look at is your CO2 pressure at the tunnel screen and at the lid dropper. We run 15-20psi at the tunnel screen and ~2psi at the lid dropper. One of the best ways to test the height of the tunnel screen is to fill a can with water and pass it through the tunnel screen with the CO2 on. There should be enough CO2 coming out to create a gentle ripple on the water. Hope this helps. We have been running our line since 2017 and have a decent bit of working knowledge, feel free to reach out directly. 

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Jordan Fey
Brewhouse/Quality Coordinator
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
Denver CO
(720) 508-3292
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Confirm that the lines supplying CO2 to the bubbler breaker are free of leaks, especially at any quick disconnect fittings.  Use a squirt bottle of soapy water as shown in the attached video.

Also confirm that the CO2 supply to the bubble breaker is not being periodically starved for CO2 by demands from other systems of the canner.  See the attached video of the pressure gauge on the regulator supplying CO2 to the bubble breaker.  Notice how it cycles between zero and 7 psi, which is not good.  A pressure gauge with a narrower range would help here too.


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Matthew Cottrell
Heavy Seas Beer
Baltimore MD
(302) 430-3489
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